Is Pennsylvania Bourbon better than Kentucky Bourbon?

We have all heard the story that Bourbon can only come from Kentucky. Although the majority of bourbon is produced in Kentucky, it can actually be made anywhere in the United States. Pennsylvania has a long distilling history that extends well beyond rye whiskey. Pennsylvania bourbon has the unique quality of being made in the birthplace of American whiskey.

History of Pennsylvania Whiskey

Germans, Scots, and Irish settlers came to Pennsylvania in the 17th century. These early settlers planted rye, which grew well in the rocky soil of the state. In those days, no grains were wasted, so farmers used any excess of rye from their fields and started brewing beer and later distilling whiskey.

Pennsylvania whiskey flourished in the 18th century, with many distilleries producing the classic American spirit. However, things changed in 1791, when Congress introduced a liquor tax. This tax was not well-received, particularly in Pennsylvania where distilleries sold their whiskey through barter systems, more than financial transactions.

Whiskey Moves South

As the population of the New World grew and the whiskey tax in the northern states took hold, farmers were driven south to find new lands to grow their crops.

The hot climate of Kentucky and Tennessee did not work well for the traditional barley and rye crops of most whiskeys of the time, therefore farmers began to grow corn—which flourished in the hot weather. Additionally, farmers began to send large qualities of this new type of whiskey further south, requiring barrels to transport the new liquid.

Oak barrels had been used for millennia for transporting liquids and Kentucky was dense with oak trees. So, barrels were made, filled with corn liquor, and floated down the Mississippi river on flatboats.

As the corn whiskey traveled, it turned into a dark, flavorful new type of whiskey. This new whiskey was known as “bourbon county whiskey” or “old bourbon whiskey”, named after the region of Kentucky where it originated.

Through the 1800s the process of making bourbon became more scientific and by the end of the century, the bourbon industry was well established with most major players centered around central Kentucky.

But just because it began there, doesn’t mean the best bourbon comes from the region.

Bourbon in Pennsylvania

As bourbon popularity grew, whiskey distillers in the north started to produce it alongside the traditional Pennsylvania rye whiskey. Today most distilleries in Pennsylvania produce both rye whiskey and bourbon whiskey. Pennsylvania bourbon is a unique combination of the long tradition of American whiskey making with the southern crops and barrels, making it a truly American spirit.

At Eight Oaks, our Pennsylvania Bourbon Whiskey comes directly from grains grown on our farm in the fertile Lehigh Valley.

Smooth and warm, this spirit starts with a three-grain mash of our farm raised corn, rye and wheat, freshly milled from our farmland. Then we double distill and age our Bourbon Whiskey on site in hand-selected, American White Oak barrels.

A smooth easy sipper with notes of vanilla, smoke, and nutmeg with a sublime, toasty finish.

Cheers!